Vulture, Hooded

Hooded vultures are the smallest African vulture measuring about 70 cm with a 1.7 m wingspan. They have a nearly featherless head to prevent infection from the rotten meat that they are constantly rooting around in. They have feathers up to the top of the head, resembling a hood (hence their name). They have relatively long legs and weak talons that are more adapted for walking than grasping prey.

They will patiently wait for their chance as larger predators and scavengers have their fill, but once it is their turn they fight for food aggressively. They are unable to compete with larger vultures (such as griffon vultures) for meat, so they will stay later and use its long bill to reach into difficult cavities.

In Africa, these birds are often viewed as having a job to do, and so are often left to their own devices. Because of this, they are not in danger of extinction.